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Greatest Comedians of All Time
These comedians don't need to be the funniest necessarily (although they can be), but they should be voted up for also having groundbreaking or really intelligent ideas and/or great social,political or religious satire.The Top Ten
1 Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson, is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr.Bean
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson, is an English actor, comedian, and screenwriter best known for his work on the sitcoms Blackadder and Mr.Bean Nobody has a talent to make people laugh without saying anything
There are a lot of people in the list that most non-English speaking people have never heard of; but when it comes to Mr. Bean, everyone knows him. He's made the people of every generation laugh. I can't think of anyone else topping him.
He made the world laugh without even saying much and he's also good with funny dialogues in his other movies.
This guy just defines comedy more than anyone else on this list.
Made the world laughter without saying a word
Others are blah,blah,blah...
2 George Carlin
George Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic. Carlin was noted for his black comedy and reflections on politics, the English language, psychology, religion, and various taboo subjects.
George Denis Patrick Carlin was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic. Carlin was noted for his black comedy and reflections on politics, the English language, psychology, religion, and various taboo subjects. George has no line and he is partying in a pub beyond the line!
Compared to Carlin, nobody else on this list is even funny.
Nothing funny about being a Hayes HS graduate.
Well I agree because he always made my parents and grandparents laugh there butts off because made everything that he hates so much funny before Richard Pryor and no offense to Richard Pryor I mean he is so funny I heard a joke from him once while my grandparents were watching it and I sneaked in and it was funny :P the end
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3 Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance. He died in 2014.
Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance. He died in 2014. Watch his sketch on golf and you'll be crying of laughter in no time.
Robin williams is an awesome man.
4 Louis C.K.
Louis Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and editor.
Louis Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and editor. 1. Louis C.K.
2. Bill Burr
3. John Oliver
Definitely the best comeidan that is still active today. Extremely good at making people laugh.
Words the great ideas he has for jokes perfectly to make them as funny as possible. He is a "comic's comic" and he is just so down to earth and can talk about any subject. I don't agree with 100% of what he says but still is highly intelligent and just a true professional comic. Louie is a great show as well
He is awesome. no more to say
5 Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ...read more.
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ...read more. You can laugh by just seeing him!
He's just the best
He is a giver. He gives himself all the time.
This guy should be way higher! One of the best comedians of all time
6 Bill Burr
William Frederic "Bill" Burr is an American comedian, writer, and actor. He is best known for his stand-up comedy specials.
William Frederic "Bill" Burr is an American comedian, writer, and actor. He is best known for his stand-up comedy specials. Just... Just watch his opinion of Yoko Ono and you will see why this guy is amazing haha
7 Andy Kaufman
He brought ideas for comedy into the mainstream and defined a lot of what comedy is today. Good number 1
Was the best
8 Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former singer and manager.
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former singer and manager. Absolutely hilarious
9 John Cleese
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, voice actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report.
John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, voice actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report.
10 Bill Hicks
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician.
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. Best comedian along side Carlin. - StealthRUSH
GOAT
I always consider Hicks, Carlin and Stanhope to be the big three of intelligent, critical thinkers who should be president. Its too bad that Hick's career was cut short and he didn't survive long enough to see his predictions about the current world we live in be right.
The Contenders
11 Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, playwright, author, and musician. Martin came to public notice in the 1960s as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show.
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, playwright, author, and musician. Martin came to public notice in the 1960s as a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show. How is he not on this list
12 Chris Rock
Christopher Julius Rock III is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. After working as a standup comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s.
Christopher Julius Rock III is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. After working as a standup comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s. This guy is so famous that I don't really have to describe why he is so good but I will anyway. His voice is one of the greatest voices ever, his ideas are just so true and his punchlines can just make an audience of thousands of people go psycho. This is because he builds up to his punchlines for so long that it creates the perfect amount of suspence and anticipation that would make anything he said funny.
13 Norm MacDonald
14 Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era.
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. Best Comedian Of All Time
Why so low?
Best ever
the best
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15 John Oliver
John William Oliver is an English comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host.
John William Oliver is an English comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host.
16 Doug Stanhope
Douglas Gene "Doug" Stanhope is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author known for his cynical, controversial comedy style and libertarian political views.
Douglas Gene "Doug" Stanhope is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author known for his cynical, controversial comedy style and libertarian political views. Just watch "word of mouth" if you haven't. Its a great starting point to see the brilliance of this guy's work. You just have to watch his stuff cause words can't describe his intelligence and comic ability and why he's the greatest comedian of all time. Keep it up Doug!
17 Frankie Boyle
Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a Scottish comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic and often controversial sense of humour.
Francis Martin Patrick "Frankie" Boyle is a Scottish comedian and writer, well known for his pessimistic and often controversial sense of humour.
18 Jerry Seinfeld
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He was born on April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for playing himself in the sitcom Seinfeld, which he created and wrote with Larry David. As a stand-up comedian, Seinfeld specializes ...read more.
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He was born on April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. He is known for playing himself in the sitcom Seinfeld, which he created and wrote with Larry David. As a stand-up comedian, Seinfeld specializes ...read more. The greatest while using the simplest material!
19 Will Smith
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for his acting career overall. He has been in many popular movies, These include, but are not limited to, the Men in Black franchise, The Pursuit of Happyness, and After Earth. He is ...read more.
Willard Carroll "Will" Smith, Jr. is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for his acting career overall. He has been in many popular movies, These include, but are not limited to, the Men in Black franchise, The Pursuit of Happyness, and After Earth. He is ...read more.
20 Patrice O'Neal
21 Michael McIntyre
Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English comedian, actor and presenter. In 2012, he was reported to be the highest-grossing comedian in the world.
Michael Hazen James McIntyre is an English comedian, actor and presenter. In 2012, he was reported to be the highest-grossing comedian in the world.
22 Woody Allen
Heywood "Woody" Allen is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, playwright and musician, whose career spans more than six decades.
Heywood "Woody" Allen is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, playwright and musician, whose career spans more than six decades. Vulnerable, self deprecating brilliant
23 Chelsea Peretti
24 Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and social critic. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed vulgarities and profanity, as well as racial epithets.
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and social critic. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed vulgarities and profanity, as well as racial epithets. Prior is so far beyond anyone else on this list it's hard to give any merit to a list putting him so low on the list.
Pryor is 1 or 2. Ridiculous.
THIS IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! What an insult you have him down at number 22
wow
25 Larry David
Lawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American comedian, writer, actor, playwright, and television producer.
Lawrence Gene "Larry" David is an American comedian, writer, actor, playwright, and television producer.
26 Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American comedian, actor, writer, singer, and producer. Murphy was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984.
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American comedian, actor, writer, singer, and producer. Murphy was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984. He is the GOAT believe that
27 Don Rickles
Laid the platform, his personality was the act!
The greatest of all time
Don is TOP 5
Knowbody even the great comedians an people of his time couldn’t joust back in forth with him
28 Mike Myers
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer, who also holds British and American citizenship.
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer, who also holds British and American citizenship.
29 Hugh Dennis
Peter Hugh Dennis is an English comedian, actor, writer, impressionist and voice-over artist, best known for being one half of Punt and Dennis with comedy partner Steve Punt, and playing Pete Brockman, the father in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered.
Peter Hugh Dennis is an English comedian, actor, writer, impressionist and voice-over artist, best known for being one half of Punt and Dennis with comedy partner Steve Punt, and playing Pete Brockman, the father in the BBC One sitcom Outnumbered.
30 Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield was an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer and writer, known for the catchphrase, I don't get no respect!, and his monologues on that theme.
Rodney Dangerfield was an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer and writer, known for the catchphrase, I don't get no respect!, and his monologues on that theme. No one makes me laugh like Rodney.
31 Jonathan Winters
If Johnathan is not on your list then.. Well.. you don't understand how the science of comedy works.
There's a reason why he and Williams were 2 of the most invited guests on Carson. Watch Winters and see the subtle movement of his face and eyes. Pathos genius.
The best improvisational comic ever and the guy who made Robin Williams great.
Best improv
32 Daniel Tosh
This guy is here purely because he is so funny. Some people say "he's not funny, he's just an ass, " well I say to you people, how about you try becoming rich and famous for being an ass. Not so easy is it. I love his jokes but what is even funnier is offended people's reactions to his jokes. He has no boundaries and that's what makes him great. Tosh.0 is also a fantastic show. Keep it up Tosh!
33 Tim Allen
Funny funny funny
34 Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.
35 Kevin Hart
Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more.
Kevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more. Hilarious guy
36 Jimmy Kimmel
37 Nick Kroll
38 Jo Brand
39 Bill Maher
William "Bill" Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, media critic, and television host.
William "Bill" Maher is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, media critic, and television host. The master of political and religious satire, he is the whistleblower on stupid people and makes smart people think twice about listening to them. The only problem is the lack of range in his subjects but I guess that's completely his choice.
40 Bobby Lee
41 Al Madrigal
42 Harry Hill
Harry Hill is an English comedian, author and television presenter best known for narrating You've Been Framed!
Harry Hill is an English comedian, author and television presenter best known for narrating You've Been Framed!
43 Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr., is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. ...read more.
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr., is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. ...read more.
44 Joan Rivers
Joan Alexandra Molinsky, better known as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host noted for her often controversial comedic persona - where she was alternately self-deprecating or sharply acerbic, especially toward celebrities and politicians.
Joan Alexandra Molinsky, better known as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host noted for her often controversial comedic persona - where she was alternately self-deprecating or sharply acerbic, especially toward celebrities and politicians.
45 Kathleen Madigan
Why isn't Groucho in the top ten? Ahead of his time and still loved today even by those of us too young to have seen him in his day
46 Jim Jefferies
Geoffrey James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer.
Geoffrey James Nugent, known professionally as Jim Jefferies, is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. I'm Australian and I think he's the greatest Australian comedian of all time. His looks and accent make it seem that he's stupid but if you listen to what he says you realise he's one of the smartest people in the world. I love how he can go to the "Jesus Country" aka USA and blatantly abuse religions and religious people. Legit is a great show.
47 Bo Burnham
Robert Pickering Burnham is an American comedian, musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and poet.
Robert Pickering Burnham is an American comedian, musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and poet. Truly great. He has a great sense of comedic timing, punchlines, ideas, and he’s just an all around creative guy. Everything is planned out to a T, like the “water” bit from his special ‘what.’
All around respectable
48 Emo Philips
49 Larry the Cable Guy
Daniel Lawrence Whitney, known professionally by his stage name Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, former radio personality and comedian.
Daniel Lawrence Whitney, known professionally by his stage name Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, former radio personality and comedian. That's funny right there, I don't care who ya are!
50 George Lopez
George Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez.
George Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez.8Load More
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List Stats
500 votes
89 listings
5 years, 253 days old
89 listings
5 years, 253 days old
Top Remixes (11)
1. Andy Kaufman2. Robin Williams
3. Jim Carrey
Zedsmeow
1. Rowan Atkinson2. John Cleese
3. John Oliver
Euan16
1. Bill Hicks2. George Carlin
3. Emo Philips
StealthRUSH
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